How to Explode Text to outlines in LT

Do you ever wish you could get an outline of your text as closed Polylines, but that hollow TTF Windows TrueType Font (or Autodesk's SHX stick fonts) you found on your PC or the internet is just not doing it for you? AutoCAD/LT can do this with the classic WMFOUT command that creates a WMF file with exploded objects, then you use WMFIN command to reimport those exploded objects back in.

Simple. Well, not quite: somewhere between the two commands a little scaling and resizing takes place, and with fonts you also need to tweak and adjust the width or WMFIN will just bring that text back as TEXT entities.

Here is what appears to be a very long method to do it correctly: once you get a hang of the steps, this is indeed quite a simple task.

1. Setup the text style to use an width other than exactly 1. It can be
   .9999 or 1.000001 for example.
2. Create the text or use property painter to 'paint' the new info to
   existing text.
3. Some where in the drawing, create a line that will be used for
   reference later. THIS IS IMPORTANT.
4. At the command prompt, type WMFOUT.
5. Select the text and the reference line (real easy if you have the text
   on a separate layer).
6. Erase (or freeze) the 'real' text but keep the reference line.
7. At the command prompt, type WMFIN & select the wmf file you just created
8. Notice the wmf doesn't come in at the same scale - the reason for the
   reference line.
9. After selecting the base point, use the default scale & rotation
10. Now, move the block made by importing the WMF so one endpoint of the
    wmf's ref line matches up with the corresponding endpoint of the original
    ref line.
11. At the command prompt, type SCALE and select the wmf block
12. For the base point, select the endpoint you used to match up ref lines
    with - the common endpoint.
13. At the command prompt, type R for reference.
14. Pick the 'common' endpoint.
15. Pick the other endpoint of the wmf's ref line.
16. Lastly pick the other endpoint of the original ref line.
17. Now you can explode the block and the text should be lines.
18. If you're using True Type fonts, you'll get lots of little lines. To clean
    it up easily do the following from 19-26 unless you really want to just sit there erasing and cleaning up manually.
19. After the explode, use CHPROP or PROPERTIES and select the objects with the PREVIOUS selection option.
20. Put these objects on a layer by themselves for easy removal.
21. Draw a rectangle around the text.
22. Use the BOUNDARY command and pick a point between the rectangle and the
    text.
23. Freeze or lock every layer but the layer the text is on and erase it.
24. Change the boundary you created to that layer for easy removal later
25. Use the boundary command again and pick "inside" the outline of the
    text.
26. Freeze or lock every layer but the layer the first boundary is on and
    erase it.

You now have the text in a outline that you can use as you wish. Enjoy. ◦

How to Explode Text to outlines in LT

The serial number you have entered is not valid

When you attempt to open the freshly installed software it asks for the serial number of the product. You enter the serial number listed on the back of the product case/box, but it is rejected with the message "The serial number you have entered is not valid". So what's going on?

If this is an older version of AutoCAD/LT, usually when you see that type of error it means that the license has been marked upgraded or returned. To have your license status verified, please contact the Activation and Registration team directly:

1. Visit http://knowledge.autodesk.com/contactus
2. Select “Activation & Registration” or “License Management”
3. Select appropriate subtopics from the pull-down menus
4. Select “I Still Need Help”  if you need personal assistance.

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The serial number you have entered is not valid

Autodesk Care: Tweets and Blog

The Voice of Autodesk Customer Service and Support, Follow the blog (http://autodeskcare.com), or find the team on Twitter (http://twitter.com/AutodeskCare).

• Kate Morrical New blog: AutodeskCare http://bit.ly/LoIV8t
• AutodeskCare: Check out our Login Tips & Tricks ?#carevideo?! http://autode.sk/Oktggz  Your login issues dealt with In under 5 minutes. ?#autodesktip?
• AutodeskCare: Ever get an ?#autodesk? ?#autocad? error message? Well we rounded up a few repeat offenders on @pinterest http://ow.ly/bM7KF  - send us yours?
• AutodeskCare: Have an ?#Autodesk? Subscription and want a backup copy of ur 2013 product or previous version? http://autode.sk/udElQt  ?#autodesktip?
• AutodeskCare: http://autode.sk/ylaB3W  From our tech pros to you: How to prepare your system for a smooth installation ?#autodesktip?
• AutodeskCare: Graduating to a commercial license? Don’t forget to study our senior thesis solution before you go! http://autode.sk/IlWtTu
• AutodeskCare: Hello Subscription Customers! Visit http://autode.sk/udElQt  if you need software on CD/DVD/USB media.  ?#autodesktip?
• AutodeskCare: Customers may be experiencing difficulties while trying to access the Education Community. We're on it:) Pls RT if possible. ?#autodeskalert?
• AutodeskCare: http://autode.sk/udElQt  Still waiting for your 2013 product in the mail? Take matters into your own hands with this walkthrough ?#autodesktip?
• AutodeskCare: Have an ?Autodesk? Subscription and want a backup copy of ur 2013 product or previous version? http://autode.sk/udElQt  ?#autodesktip?

 

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Autodesk Care: Tweets and Blog

Twitter Posts revisited: Hatch settings

Below is a summary of topics we covered recently on Twitter. Click on the links at the end of each topic and explore the command or feature in more detail in AutoCAD/LT's HELP.

• HPSEPARATE Command more information http://tinyurl.com/3lqjx4z
• HPSEPARATE Controls whether a single hatch object or separate hatch objects are created when operating on several closed boundaries
• HPCOLOR Sets a default color for new hatches. HPLAYER Specifies a default layer for new hatches and fills.
• HPBOUNDRETAIN command controls whether boundary objects are created for new hatches and fills http://tinyurl.com/3uy2hcq
• HPBOUND command controls the object type created by HATCH and BOUNDARY http://tinyurl.com/3g5gr4k
• HPASSOC command controls whether hatches and fills are associative http://tinyurl.com/3gu2e4m
• HPANNOTATIVE command controls whether a new hatch pattern is annotative http://tinyurl.com/3cnl79g
• HIDETEXT command Specifies whether text objects created by the TEXT or MTEXT command are processed during HIDE command http://tinyurl.com/3hvzrgb
• HIDEOBJECTS Command Hides selected objects http://tinyurl.com/3c34n9l
• HATCHSETORIGIN Controls the starting location of hatch pattern generation for a selected hatch http://tinyurl.com/3lfav9z
• HATCHSETBOUNDARY Redefines a selected hatch or fill to conform to a different closed boundary http://tinyurl.com/3qou8tj
• HATCHGENERATEBOUNDARY Creates a non-associated polyline around a selected hatch http://tinyurl.com/3o68f5e

We post daily on the topic of AutoCAD/LT and features/abilities of interest to users:

you can find us at http://twitter.com/LTisACAD

Get Twitter updates via Text Message (SMS) by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States. To stop SMS updates, simply text UNFOLLOW LTISACAD to the same number.

Catch a listing of all our twitter postings HERE: http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week ◦

Twitter Posts revisited: Hatch settings

Work with AutoCAD Drawings in AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD LT offers full compatibility when working with AutoCAD drawings. However, you should understand how AutoCAD LT handles AutoCAD-only features.

• Work with Fields: In AutoCAD, you can insert LispVariables fields, which are not available in AutoCAD LT. However, the drawings created in AutoCAD that contain LispVariables can be opened without errors in AutoCAD LT, and the cached value is displayed.
• Work with Multiple User Coordinate Systems: In AutoCAD, you can choose to use a different user coordinate system (UCS) in each viewport in a single drawing file. In AutoCAD LT, you can use only one UCS in each drawing file. The AutoCAD LT behavior is the same as it was in previous releases.
• Work with AutoCAD LT 2D and 3D Solid Object Shading: In AutoCAD, visual styles provide shading and wireframe options for objects in the current viewport. AutoCAD LT does not support visual styles. The SHADEMODE command in AutoCAD LT provides only the 2D Wireframe and Hidden options. You can use SHADEMODE in AutoCAD LT to turn off visual styles in viewports that were created in AutoCAD.
• Work with Constraints: You cannot create constraints within AutoCAD LT. With LT, you can View drawings containing constraints created using AutoCAD, plus View and edit the geometric and dimensional constraints.
• Work with Dynamic Blocks: In AutoCAD, you can add new constraint parameters to a dynamic block in the Block Editor. In AutoCAD LT, you can open drawings which include a block definition containing geometric or dimensional constraints or a block properties table but cannot add new parameters to the block definition.
• Modify 3D Point Clouds: You cannot explode, index or attach a point cloud with AutoCAD LT. But you can open drawings created in AutoCAD that contain point clouds.
• Turn Off Perspective View in an AutoCAD Drawing: Set the PERSPECTIVE system variable to 0 to turn off perspective view in an AutoCAD drawing that is open in AutoCAD LT. You cannot turn on perspective view in a drawing that is open in AutoCAD LT.

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Work with AutoCAD Drawings in AutoCAD LT

Understand the Effect of Format Changes

You can convert a drawing to a format compatible with previous versions of the AutoCAD/LT by using AECTOACAD command (or in LT2012 DWGCONVERT command). This process however creates a drawing with information specific to the current release stripped out or converted to another object type. When the drawing is converted, a log file lists changed or lost information. These commands also strip any information created by vertical versions of AutoCAD (such as AutoCAD Architecture or Civil 3D) to regular AutoCAD entities, stripping any roundtripping of the new file back to the original application.

Since converting a drawing to an earlier release format may cause some data loss, you should considerassigning a unique file name (or by adding the year-version number to the current file name) to avoid overwriting the current drawing file. The following items are affected:

• Visual Fidelity of Dimension. The following dimension enhancements do not lose visual fidelity in previous releases if they are not edited: Dimension breaks, Jogged linear dimensions, Inspection dimensions, Angular dimensions that are dimensioned using the quadrant option, and Arc extension lines for radial and diameter dimensions
• Visual Fidelity for Annotative Objects and Annotative Blocks can be set in OPTIONS command: ideal if you want to allow the lower versions of AutoCAD to see each of your annotative block representations as individual objects on individual layers.
• Layer Property Overrides are not visible in LT versions lower than LT2008, but remain intact if returned to the later LT version.
• Multiline Text Objects: Some of the paragraph spacing and paragraph line spacing options are not supported when an AutoCAD/LT 2008 or higher multiline text object is opened in AutoCAD/LT 2007 and earlier releases.
• Tables and Data Extraction: Editing AutoCAD 2008 tables in previous releases removes AutoCAD/LT 2008 table formatting. Also, AutoCAD/LT 2008 table cells with long block and text strings may extend outside of cell borders when opened in previous releases.
• AutoCAD Architecture (ACA) Custom Objects are converted to plain AutoCAD/LT object types.

Additional limitations of Saving to Earlier Versions:
Converting a drawing to AutoCAD 2007 format is subject to the following limitations:

• DGN underlays do not display in releases prior to AutoCAD/LT 2008.
• Multileaders display as proxy objects in releases prior to AutoCAD/LT 2008.

Converting a drawing to AutoCAD 2004 format is subject to the following limitations:

• Dynamic block geometry can be redefined independent of the block’s dynamic elements, and the geometry in the block reference is not updated when the drawing is opened in a product based on AutoCAD 2007 or later.

Converting a drawing to AutoCAD 2000 format is subject to the following limitations:

• File size can increase.
• Encryption and digital signatures are not preserved.

Converting a drawing in AutoCAD Release 14/AutoCAD LT 98/AutoCAD LT 97 format is subject to the following limitations:

• Hyperlinks are converted to AutoCAD Release 14 attached URLs.
• Database links and freestanding labels are converted to AutoCAD Release 14 links and displayable attributes.
• Database attached labels are converted to multiline text and leader objects, and their link information is not available. Attached labels are restored if you open the drawing in AutoCAD 2000 or later.
• Arc length and jogged dimension objects might not retain their original color in AutoCAD Release 14.

Conversion or not, the free DWGTRUEVIEW free viewer from Autodesk has it's own limitations that are not related to any of the above:

• Dynamic Constraints: Dynamic contraints created in AutoCAD 2010-based products do not display in DWG TrueView.
• DWGTrueView does not convert of pen-width settings to lineweights when exporting to R14DWG format.

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Understand the Effect of Format Changes

LT Support, Patches and Updates

When it comes to getting Help and support, Autodesk offers many options and solutions, some are free, some are not. Where to find these options can be tricky to find. The following links should help get you started:

• AutoCAD LT central location for all support is HERE.
• Known and documented issues with solutions or things to try are posted in the Knowledge Base Section.
• Seek out help from fellow LT users in the open Discussion Groups area.
• Autodesk Per-Incident Support offers support for most products through interaction with product support specialists. It is designed to meet occasional technical support needs. After initial review, callers can speak directly to an Autodesk product support specialist. A pre-existing support agreement is not required as you pay per-incident, by credit card.
• Autodesk Subscription Web Support offers direct, one-to-one communication with Autodesk support technicians for fast, complete answers to your installation, configuration, and troubleshooting questions.
• Up and Ready assistance offers you are entitled to 30 days support from your date of registration covering installation and configuration of your new Autodesk software.
• Even the best software contains software defects that may occasionally cause your system to close unexpectedly. When a software error occurs, Autodesk’s Customer Error Reporting (CER) makes it easy for you to send the details of the software error to Autodesk for analysis.
• Other Resources available include Autodesk Developer Center, Autodesk Authorized Resellers, and Autodesk User Group International (AUGI)
• Autodesk provides a variety of printed and online tutorials and resources HERE that can help you learn about and use your AutoCAD LT software Help Menu, Getting Started Tutorials, Printed Materials, Availability of Product Documentation, Documentation Updates, Feedback
• From the Data and Downloads webpage you can get Updates and Service Packs and other maintenance releases, Utilities and Drivers, Viewers, Tools to enhance and extend your product functionality, and Download Sample Files.
• Access to many Training Options.
• Join one or more CAD Community groups.
• Get more information and gain access to your Subscription page.

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LT Support, Patches and Updates

How to remove AutoCAD/LT from your system

You have experienced installation problems with Autodesk software products after a failed installation or uninstallation of other Autodesk products. In these cases, it is strongly recommended that you completely remove all Autodesk products from the system and then attempt to reinstall them on the cleaned system.

You have a few options. Autodesk provides the following advice:

• How to remove all Autodesk software products from a system to ensure a clean install HERE.
• You are using an AutoCAD® product and you want to know if you should install the latest Service Pack or Update. You also want to know how the Service Pack or Update should be applied. Click HERE.
• Error on startup or AutoCAD is not installed properly? Please reinstall? Try this solution posted HERE.

A 3rd party tool is sometimes easier to use than trying to follow complicated and long instructions as posted above. For clean uninstalls and removal of unwanted or troublesome software I have used versions of the following software for quite some time and have had very good success:

• Remove any unwanted program and all traces (as well as Windows Registry entries) easily with the freeware Revo Uninstaller. Buy the Pro version if you need more add-in features. There is even a Portable version that requires no installation at all (use it from a thumb-drive).
• CCLeaner is another freeware that is very good at optimizing Windows and is one of the few Windows Registry cleaners that does not harm AutoCAD/LT's installation if you need to use that ability.

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How to remove AutoCAD/LT from your system

AutoCAD and Windows 7 Tips

Some users with Windows 7 are having issues with slow performance of AutoCAD/LT: since the issues are not universal to all or most it has been hard to fix the one true fix. We have assembled a list of things to try that seem to help many: if you need help we recommend to start at the top of the list and do every one in order until the symptoms stop.

In Windows 7 before you start AutoCAD/LT:

• Use Windows 7 Classic/Basic Theme (not AERO or Custom Theme). You miss some of the Aero whizz-bang features, like layout preview and other niceties, but overall performance seems better for some users.
• Win7's Aero Glass option sometimes turned on by your PC/laptop's manufacturer, turn it off for all your power options.
  Note: you can turn Aero visual effects off for individual programs by right-clicking the shortcut, go to properties, then Compatibility Tab... check Disable Visual Themes.
• Change the default Screen color depth (Windows' Display Settings) from 32-bit to 16-bit: typically found at Windows> Control Panel> Appearance and Personalization> Display> Screen Resolution settings> Advanced Settings>List All Modes.
• -Start Windows 7 in Diagnostic Mode. If it works here the cause of the problems may be the display or pointer drivers, another driver, a background process (such as an antivirus application).

In AutoCAD/LT:

• Turn the ribbon off by picking a classic workspace as one extreme effort.
• Turn off SAVEFIDELITY if you do not know for sure you must and absolutely have it (most users never need it on).
• Turn off the modeless layer palette: use the old Layer dialog box (set LAYERDLGMODE to 0). This is not an LT option, for LT users you will need to turn off the LAYER palette when not in use.
• Turn off any and all palette transparency.
• Turn off SelectionCycling, SC button at bottom of screen
• Turn off Hardware Acceleration within AutoCAD (not LT), icon on the lower right near workspace and toolbar lock.
• Set HPDLGMODE variable to 1 and/ or HPQUICKPREVIEW to off.
• Change ROLLOVERTIPS variable to 0 (off)
• Set QPMODE variable to 0 (off)
• Set SHOWLAYERUSAGE variable to 0 (off).
• Are you using two monitors? Use monitor 1 as your graphics monitor as a test.
• Update/dowgrade your video card drivers HERE (if any, otherwise try your PC vendor or video card vendor's websites).
• Autodesk recommended uninstall and reinstall Procedures as a last resort.

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AutoCAD and Windows 7 Tips

LT script errors when starting HELP

If you encounter an Internet Explorer Script Error message when trying to start HELP in LT, or using the Getting Started option, or possibly authorizing your LT version for the first time, the following Autodesk posted Knowledge Base (KB) page may resolve it HERE.

Applies to LT2005 through LT2008, as well as other AutoCAD variants. ◦

LT script errors when starting HELP

LT2008 slow performance

LT2008 introduced a new Annotative feature that is a major improvement to the CAD program in many years. Along with it, a few shortcomings got introduced as well, some of which can slow Lt2008 if they remain unchecked.

If you've noticed slow program responses when Opening drawings that contain Xrefs, Inserting Xref drawings, Copying/Pasting from one drawing into another, and/or Inserting blocks from external files, click on the following posted Knowledge Base (KB) page from Autodesk for a solution HERE. ◦

LT2008 slow performance

Error: AutoCAD is not installed properly...

You get the above message, or a variation of it, when you start LT for the first time, or at some point later on.

LT2006 and higher started using .NET framework from Microsoft as part of the CAD program, and with the evolution of both .NET and LT, as well as many other programs on your PC, your PC may have reached a point where the clutter is causing problems.

Autodesk provides the following Knowledge Base document to resolve the issue HERE. ◦

Error: AutoCAD is not installed properly...

XREF Keeps Moving

Opening a file with an Xref, or Xrefs, after saving may appear to be moving/relocating on their own. Explore INSBASE and UCS commands as the most often fix that works:

Both the value of INSBASE variable and the current UCS need to be consistent in both the source and target file(s). The easiest way to keep all of this straight is to set UCS command settings to World and INSBASE variable setting to 0,0,0.
Use 0,0,0 as the insertion point when you INSERT the Xref. The same if you are creating an external block with WBLOCK command. ◦

XREF Keeps Moving

Dialog Window or Command Pop-up missing

You start a command like OPEN or SAVEAS, and instead of a pop-up to select file location and name, you get prompted at the command line to manually enter the information.

FILEDIA variable is turned off: at the command line, type it and when ask, type 1 (one) to turn it on. This variable is designed to suppress display of file navigation dialog boxes if set to 0 (zero).

It affects many other commands, including BMPOUT, CUILOAD, CUIUNLOAD, IMPORT, JPGOUT, NEW, OPEN, PNGOUT, PUBLISH, RECOVER, RECOVERALL, SAVEAS, SCRIPT, TIFOUT, VSLIDE, WBLOCK and XREF among others.

A similar variable, CMDDIA, used to affect more commands in older LT versions, but in many of the latest versions only affect QLEADER;s in-place text editor. ◦

Dialog Window or Command Pop-up missing

Dialog Window or Command Pop-up gone

You start the command (OPEN, LAYER, BHATCH etc.) and nothing happens: LT acts like the command is running, but you have nothing on screen. You are able to cancel the command.

Your pop-up may be off screen: start themmand, on the keyboard use the combination of ALT+SpaceBar+M then use the arrow keys on your keyboard to nudge it back to view (this is a Windows feaure, you can use it to recover any lost pop-up in LT or other programs).
You can also change the resolution of your monitor to lower settings, the layer manager will show, move it to be centered, then change resolution back. ◦

Dialog Window or Command Pop-up gone

File Name missing at PDF prompt

Plotting to PDF using any free or purchased (or built in driver in LT2007 and higher), or any other 3rd party driver to create a file is a convenience until the file name prompt stops echoing the DWG file name and presents the user with an empty box to fill.

FULLPLOTPATH is a variable added in 2006 to help overcome AutoCAD/LT's ability to overwhelm drivers that can't handle receiving the full path of the file in the plot. SImply type it at the command line in LT, and when prompted set it to 0 (zero). Your PDF driver should start placing your DWG file name in the box when prompting you for the PDF file's name.

And your troublesome Plotter or Printer driver may start behaving as well if you've had issues with them and LT. ◦

File Name missing at PDF prompt

Fail to Create CommCntrClientSink object!

Starting LT presents this error message: you can click OK and get into LT but find thatProperties and other features do not function. The cause is usually after the use of a Windows Registry Cleaner that many websites tout as necessary.

In most circumstances, using that Registry Cleaner's Undo or Restore feature fixes the problem, most quality products also include an exclusion option where you can add AutoCAD/LT to the list of programs not to touch.

If you use a freebie or a bargain cleaner, they don't restore or recover well. A repair reinstall of LT fixes the problem as noted HERE.
If not, you need to go a step further and completely uninstall all Autodesk products on your system as discussed HERE, then reinstalling them after a Windows restart.
Click on this for a GOOGLE search on the topic and other solutions posted.

Don't forget to backup all your LT customizations first, often, and regularly. ◦

Fail to Create CommCntrClientSink object!

Text plots in outline only

This is a limitation of using Windows TrueType Fonts (TTF), not found in AutoCAD's SHX fonts (those stick-like hideous fonts we all love). The fix can be one or many of the following:

• Set the FILL command to on.
• Set the FILLMODE system variable to 1.
• Set the TEXTFILL system variable to 1.
• In the Plot dialog box, clear Hide Objects. If you need this setting for the rest of your drawing, you will need to change to SHX fonts in your text styles.
• Turn off the Hideplot property of the viewport. If you need this setting to achieve a desired plot ability, you will need to either change to SHX fonts in your text style or place the text in Paperspace out of the viewport.
• Turn off Shadeplot > Hidden Property of Viewport in LT2004, LT2005, and LT2006.

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Text plots in outline only

Turn on the MAX in LT

A Layout with many viewports only displays some, or worse, only one viewport content at a time, but clicking inside of of the others activates it but turns on a previously displayed one.
Explore MAXACTVP variable in HELP, it controls how many active viewports you can see at anyone time. Limit is 64 though.

You need to create a large ARRAY and notice that LT hits a limits and stops. You can change this limit by setting the MaxArray system registry variable using SETENV and entering a number between 100 and 10000000. MaxArray must be entered with the capitalization shown.

You create, or try to, a very dense hatch pattern and LT objects that the hatch is too small or the dash length is too short: first make sure that SOLID hatch is not what you really need. If that's not the case, the hatch object limit is set by the MaxHatch environment setting: change this limit by setting the MaxHatch system registry variable using SETENV and entering a number between 100 and 10000000. MaxHatch must be entered with the capitalization shown.

LAYER command is not sorting all your file's layers or blocks alphabetically or any other order you select: explore MAXSORT variable in HELP in LT, inclrease the number displayed until the sorting problem is resolved. ◦

Turn on the MAX in LT

GEDIT or GEDIT 3 Error messages

LT2002 could just not get rid of this problem once it showed up, and Autodesk never provided a permanent fix: some users had some luck turning off video card hardware acceleration but most of us never really found a fix. It was often, but not exclusively triggered by a Pan or Zoom function.

LT2004 required the Service Patch to be installed to remove the symptom/cause noted above. If you have done this or are using a version of LT higher than 2004 and you still get this problem, so far it's been solely attributed to a conflict on your PC with another software package, and often requires that software package to be removed or updated.
Current solutions can be found at these following links:
Gedit3 Topic Page
Autodesk Support
Autodesk Discussion
Google Search ◦

GEDIT or GEDIT 3 Error messages